What’s On Events Calendar
Building closure - upcoming dates
Due to extensive roofing works at Palace Green Library, there will be times when we have to close the building to visitors between summer 2024 and spring 2025, with no access to Museum of Archaeology, Cosin’s Library, Penned and Printed exhibition and World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.
Visit our Tickets and Times pages at each venue for more information.
Museum of Archaeology Gallery
01 January 2022 - 01 December 2023
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries
Enjoy our new special exhibition exploring the rich prehistoric and Roman archaeology of Durham.
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Student Art Prize Exhibition 2022/23
01 May 2023 - 18 March 2024
10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Palatine Centre
This exhibition showcases the shortlisted entries to Durham University’s fourth annual Student Art Prize.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Public
- Student experience
- Alumni
- Everyone
- Students in HE
Penned and Printed
27 May 2023 - 31 March 2025
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Historic Libraries
An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms. (Please note, access to this exhibition will be affected by the upcoming Palace Green Library closure dates.)
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Beautiful Durham
16 August 2023 - 31 May 2024
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Outdoor Art Gallery, Art Collection
As a Part of the Summer in the City Art Festival and in collaboration with nine County Durham Schools, come see a collection of artworks that answer the question “What makes Durham Beautiful?”
- Accessible
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Voices: contemporary art and craft from the Middle East and North Africa
29 September 2023 - 12 May 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
An exhibition celebrating the work of emerging contemporary artists and designers from the Middle East and North Africa recently acquired by the Oriental Museum.
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
01 December 2023 - 01 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Exploring Colour
02 December 2023 - 02 December 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot a very special red robe on display and make your own red artwork.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
02 December 2023 - 02 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
03 December 2023 - 03 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
04 December 2023 - 04 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
05 December 2023 - 05 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
06 December 2023 - 06 December 2023
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Oriental Museum
Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.
- Creative
- Public
- Under 5s
Little Dragons
06 December 2023 - 06 December 2023
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Oriental Museum
Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.
- Creative
- Public
- Under 5s
Durham Castle Guided Tours
06 December 2023 - 06 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
07 December 2023 - 07 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
07 December 2023 - 07 December 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st Thursday of every month.
- Accessible
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Public
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
08 December 2023 - 08 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Christmas Community Day
09 December 2023 - 09 December 2023
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Castle Community Action are so excited to invite you to University College JCR’s upcoming Christmas Community Day on the 9th December.
- Outreach & community
- Children and families
- Everyone
Mandala Making
09 December 2023 - 09 December 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Check out the 700 year old Buddha head on display and then make a mandala, a traditional form of Buddhist art.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
09 December 2023 - 09 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
What’s on across our venues
Our unique cultural attractions include Durham Castle, Botanic Garden, Historic Libraries at Palace Green, Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology and our World Heritage Site Visitor Centre. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone to enjoy.